1. Zojoji Temple
    Photo: Zojoji Temple
  2. Zojoji Temple
    Photo: Zojoji Temple
  3. 増上寺
    増上寺

Zojoji Temple

  • Attractions | Religious buildings and sites
  • Shiba-Koen
  • Recommended
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Time Out says

The main temple of the Buddhist Jodo sect in the Kanto area, Zojo-ji was built in 1393 and moved to its present location in 1598. In the 17th century 48 temples stood on this site. The main hall has been destroyed three times by fire in the last century, the current building being a 1970s reconstruction. The most historic element is the Sangedatsumon main gate – dating back to 1605, it’s the oldest wooden structure in Tokyo. Each of its three sections represents three of the stages that are necessary to attain nirvana. A mausoleum in the grounds contains the tombs of six Tokugawa shoguns. There’s also a cemetery, with row upon row of small statues of Jizo, guardian of (among other things) stillborn, aborted or miscarried babies.

Details

Address
4-7-35 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku
Tokyo
Transport:
Shiba-Koen Station (Mita line), exit A4, Daimon Station (Asakusa, Oedo lines), exit A6

What’s on

Zojoji Tanabata Festival

Legend tells of the star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi who, separated by the Milky Way, are only able to meet once a year on the night known as Tanabata. This festival is synonymous with colourful streamer decorations, wafts of romance, and a ritual in which people write wishes on strips of paper (tanzaku) and tie them to bamboo branches. Zojoji's version of the celebration features a beautiful candle light-up on Sunday and Monday from 6pm to 9pm. Hundreds of washi paper lanterns are arranged in the shape of the Milky Way along the staircase that leads up to the temple’s main hall. Make sure to write down your wish for Tanabata on a colourful strip of paper, which you can get for ¥200 each. The temple priests will conduct a special ceremony at 5.30pm on July 7, where they’ll bless your wishes.  For this special occasion, Zojoji Temple is selling a beautiful Tanabata-themed omamori lucky charm (¥3,000). If you’d like to get your hands on one, we recommend buying yours in advance via the temple’s online shop, since quantity is limited. When you’re making the purchase, don’t forget to write your name in the column for additional notes, as the priests will read out your name at a special prayer on the night of July 7. The omamori will be shipped after the event (from July 8). For more information, see the event website.
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